Listen to your Realtor and use a lockbox.

One of the tools used when listing a home for sale is the lockbox. Here in the Greater Sacramento area, agents & brokers are members of the MetroList MLS. Like most of the major MLS’s in California we utilize the Supra iBox lockbox. In order to gain access to the lockbox system, you must be a member of MetroList and be in good standing. This requirement and uniformity ensures that those with lockbox access are professionals that are active in the industry. In addition MetroList will grant access to appraisers so they can get their job done.

When we take a listing we are required to get the homeowners authorization to place a lockbox on the property. Most people are fine with that but some push back stating that they want more security and don’t want ‘anyone’ being able to access their home. This is where I try to assure homeowners and put their mind at ease. In fact, I believe that a lockbox adds additional security and accountability to a listing.

Here is a screenshot of the email notification that I recieve whenever someone opens one of the lockboxes on my listings. I am able to see the agent that showed the listing and what time they accessed the property. I can even email or call the agent directly from my phone. In addition, I can always pull up a full list of everyone that has accessed the property. I can tell you that agents are very aware that when they access a lockbox they are being tracked. While this doesn’t ensure that everything will be perfect, it does allow a greater level of transparency regarding who has accessed a particular home.

Good agents are very busy and it’s not practical to expect that they will be present every time another agent wants to show a home. Having a lockbox on the property allows everyone to do their job professionally. Most importantly it increases the number of showings so we can get your home SOLD!